Paint softening tool



amwzz L. A, DANIELS PAINT SOFTENING TOOL Filed Aug. 13, 1936 Feb. 22, E938.

Patented Feb. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

My invention relates to the class of tools which are employed for softening paint on painted surfaces so that it may be readily removed, as by scraping or otherwise, and an object of my in- 5 vention, among others, is to provide an implement of this class that shall be particularly efficient for the purpose for which it is designed.

One form of a paint softening tool embodying my invention and in the construction and use of N which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may be attained is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is an isometric perspective view of a portion of the side of a building illustrating my 15 improved implement in use.

Figure 2 is a view in section of a portion of the outside wall of a. building showing the application of my improved paint remover.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the tool.

:30 Figure 4 is an edge view.

Figure 5 is a bottom view.

Figure 6 is a view in crosswise section through the implement and on a plane denoted by the dotted lines 66 of Fig. 3.

Figure 7 is a similar view but on a plane denoted by the dotted lines 1-1 of Fig. 3.

In the accompanying drawing the numeral 1 denotes generally a portion of the wall of a building which comprises clapboards 8 in its struc- 30 ture, my improved paint remover being particularly adapted for use with a wall of such formation. This comprises a box 9 formed of any suitable metal and having a top In, a back H, a front edge l2, and ends I3. The top is provided with a handle M by means of which the implement may be maneuvered. The back is located substantially at right. angles to the top, but the edges l5 of the ends are disposed at angles to the front edges and back face, and the front side of the box is open except as hereinafter described. The inclination of the bottom edges is such as to conform to and fit the sloping faces 16 of the clapboards while the back ends of the sides rest squarely against the ex- 5 posed edges of the clapboards and as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. A closure I! in the form of a plate is adjustably located between the ends 13, such plate extending from the top of the box to a distance beyond the bottom edges I5 50 of the ends. This plate is supported by straps l8 adjustably secured to the inside of the top of the box, as by means of screws l9 passed through slots 20 in the straps and into and through the top to also fasten other members as herein- 55 after described.

In the preferred structure and as shown herein the top in has ribs 2| formed as by stamping, and the straps l8 extend into the recesses formed in said ribs, and as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing.

The back H closes this side of the chamber in the box 9, the lower edge of this back terminating in a lip 22 which is adapted to be seated against the outer face of a clapboard near the lower edge thereof, and as shown in Fig. l of the drawing. This back is of somewhat springy metal so that said lip may accommodate itself to the thickness of the lower edge of the clapboard 8 and the back edges of the end pieces will rest squarely against the edge of the clapboard 8 with which the lip is engaged, this side of the box being therefore substantially closed to prevent the escape of heat from within the box.

An electric heater of any well-known form andconstruction is attached to the under surface of the top In, in the structure herein shown this heater comprising a base generally denoted by the numeral 23 secured to the top as by means of the screws [9 or otherwise, this base having posts 24 projecting therefrom and supporting 5 coils 25 which comprise the heating elements, these coils being connected with terminals 26 in any well known manner and adapted to receive a plug 29 for conveying an electric current in a manner that will be readily understood. In the 30 preferred structure the base includes a metallic plate 21 and a sheet 28 of asbestos, the latter being located between the top It of the box and the plate 21 to reduce transmission of heat to said top ill. This plate 21 also acts as a reflector to project the heat against the painted surface being heated. The ends of the handle it also project through the base, the nuts on the inner ends of the handle securing the latter and also aiding in holding the base of the heater 4.0 in place.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawing it will be readily under stood that the instrument may be adapted to closely fit upon the outer surface of a clapboarded wall, the closure i! and the back H being so arranged that the heat will be retained Within the box in a manner to readily heat the painted surfaces. of the clapboards, thereby softening the same so that it may be readily removed in a mannor that will be easily understood.

I claim:

1. A paint softener comprising a box having a top, a closed back, a front edge, and ends having relatively angularly disposed edges to fit the surfaces of a plurality of clapboards of the wall of a building disposed in different planes and thereby to enclose the edge of a clapboard within the box and exposed to heat simultaneously with the surface of the board on which the box rests, and a heater enclosed within the box.

2. A paint softener comprising a box having a top, a closed back and front edge, and ends hav ing relatively angularly disposed edges to fit the surface of the clapboards of the wall of a building, the back edges of said ends to fit the edge of the clapboard next to that on which the box rests and the bottom edge of the back to rest closely against the flat surface of said board and said front extending below to closely engage the edge of the clapboard on which the box rests and a heater enclosed within the box.

3. A paint softener comprising a box having a top, a closed back, a front edge, and ends having relatively angularly disposed edges to fit the surface of the clapboards of the wall of a building, the bottom edge of said back terminating above the bottom edges of the ends to contact the lower edge of the clapboard next to that on which the box rests and the front extending below the bottom edges of the ends to engage the edge of the clapboard on which the box rests to enclose the box to prevent the escape of heat therefrom, and a heater enclosed within the box.

4. A paint softener comprising a box having a top, a closed back, a front edge, and ends having relatively angularly disposed edges to fit the surface of the clapboards of the Wall of a building, a flexible lip at the bottom edge of said back and means for adjustably supporting said front to accommodate itself to clapboards having weather exposure of different widths.

5. A paint softener comprising a box having a top, ends having their lower edges slanted to fit the outer surface of the clapboards of the wall of a building with their end edges adapted to fit the edge of said clapboards, a back to close the back side of the box and having a lip located above the lower edges of the ends to rest upon the surface of the clapboard near its lower edge to enclose said edge within the box, a front to close the opposite edge of the box, and means for adjustably supporting said front to accommodate itself to difierent widths of Weather exposure of said clapboards and thereby to completely close the chamber in the box.

6. A paint softener comprising a box having a top, ribs embossed on said top forming a recess underneath, ends projecting from the top and having their bottom edges inclined to correspond to the slope of the outer surface of the clapboards of the wall of a building, a back to close the back edge of the box, a front to close the opposite edge of the box, straps secured to said front and projecting into said recesses in said ribs, and means for adjustably securing said straps in place.

7. A paint softener comprising a box having a top, a rib embossed on said top forming a recess underneath, ends projecting from the top to close the ends of the box, a back to close the back edge of the box, a front to close the. opposite edge of the box, a strap secured to said front and projecting into said recess in said rib, means for adjustably securing said strap in place, and a heating element secured to the inner face of the top of said box.

LEO A. DANIELS. 

